When She Woke by Hillary Jordan is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the themes of freedom, religion, and personal identity. The book is set in a dystopian future where the United States has become a theocracy, and criminals are “chromed” – their skin colour is changed to reflect their crime – and released into society as pariahs.
The novel follows the story of Hannah Payne, a young woman who has been chromed red for having an abortion. As she struggles to adjust to her new life, Hannah is forced to confront her past and the choices that led her to this point. She is also forced to confront the harsh reality of life as a chromed person in a society that values conformity above all else.
One of the strengths of the novel is Hillary Jordan’s ability to create a vivid and compelling world that feels both familiar and unsettling. The society she creates is one that is both terrifying and plausible, and it is impossible not to be drawn into the story.
